Tycoon

The WRC bred Imprezza WRX STI, which makes its UK public debut at Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC in January has been priced at only £24,995 On-The-Road, £1,600 less than old model. The STI is powered by a 300 PS (305 hp) 2.5-liter turbo flat 4-cylinder – unlike the - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER which uses a higher-revving 2.0-liter turbo. Max speed is 155.3 mph with a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds. Fuel consumption compared to the previous model improves to 20.5/34.4 and 27.4 on the Urban/Extra Urban and Combined Cycles. First deliveries are expected next March. See below for more details.


Source - WCF: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Who would expect something like this...

coolraoul

Is it an kind of apologize for the look of the car, even much worse than the already bad-looking precedent model?
j/k of course

martinbo

It is to be expected. Subaru want the STI to be more accessible and with broader consumer appeal. What a lot of current Subaru STI fans aren't expecting is that this car is going to a whole lot more refined with softer and more compliant suspension.

The look of the car is actually not nearly as ungainly as Impreza 2 and the hatchback configuration is sure to have broader appeal.

The fact is, this new STI isn't as hardcore as something like the old STI VII with the turbo'd 2.0 litre mill. It's a pervasive trend across just about every manufacturer of performance cars these days. Cars that we once lauded for being uncompromisingly focused now form the frame of reference for the newer, more refined, more comfortable and altogether easier-to-live-with models we're seeing today. Haven't we all noticed the trend? E30 M3 vs. E90 M3? EVO VIII vs. EVO X? STI VI vs. STI IX? Clio II Sport Cup vs. Clio III Sport Cup? I could go on now vs. I ought to shuddup ?

The only exception to the rule is likely the C63 AMG but then again, its predecessor did have soggy marshmallow front suspension. (Relatively speaking of course...)

The plain truth of the matter is that modern consumers of performance cars are distinctly more fussy when it comes to the overlap of performance and dynamism with comfort and refinement. Very few of these "new" consumers have ever been exposed to the hardcore characteristics that made the fast cars of yore great and intimately involving. They just won't "get" the razor-sharp reaction of a CSL to the tarmac beneath it or the decisive and immediate turn-in of an EVO. No, most of today's buyers want more thrills but with less effort.

Hence, the re-positioning of the STI is a predictable, logical step from a manufacturer that wants a little more of a piece of the action.

Judging by the impeccable ride of the new WRX I've just had for the last two days (my daughter even fell asleep in the back just driving around) it's clear that modern motorists aren't prepared to make concessions in the comfort department. Journalists at EVO and the like aren't going to approve but then again their frame of reference is completely different to someone that's moving up from a Golf or a Toyota.

Poverty

The price is very favourable. Unless Audi come out with a 2.0T quattro thats well specced for about 30k I will buy this car instead. I mean damn 25k for 300hp and 4wd is very good. All of a sudden SEAT Leon Cupras dont seem all that good value for money anymore. They need to bring out a 4wd 300hp model.

STI will probably be mine soon. Well done Subaru, you have created the ultimate boy racers car by making it a hatchback, and im a boy racer